With summer just around the corner and road trips on the horizon, is your car prepped and ready to go? Often times, we don’t take care of our vehicle until it’s too late and something busts or fails. In honor of National Car Care Month, Batteries Plus Bulbs recommends you take a proactive approach to car maintenance.

Here are 5 simple DIY car care tips to help keep your vehicle in tip-top shape this month and all year round:

Tip #1: Use It or Lose It

According to a Batteries Plus Bulbs survey, over 50% of vehicle owners who have had to replace their car battery waited until it died. Don’t let that be you! A battery is like a muscle; you have to use it to maintain its charge, avoid power depletion, and avoid permanent damage. If your vehicle won’t be used for a while (several weeks or months), disconnect the battery to avoid any power drain from the car. Better yet, use a high quality car battery charger to maintain the charge – maintenance free, trickle chargers are safe to leave on the battery the entire time the car is sitting. Come on in to your local Batteries Plus Bulbs location and a product expert will get you all set up.

Tip #2: Looks Can Be Deceiving

Corrosion on the battery terminals can reduce its effectiveness and the length of its life. Did you know you can keep them clean in a few simple steps with a battery terminal cleaner, wire brush, and some protection spray? Check out our quick video on the steps to keep your electrical connections in proper working order.

Tip #3: Gas Up

This is one tip that most people don’t know. Gas up your car in the morning or the evening, when the temperatures are lower to get more fuel in the tank instead of fumes that can evaporate quickly. Also, it’s highly recommended that you don’t drive around on empty or nearly empty. Always keep at least a quarter tank of gas. Why, you ask? For one, fuel gauges aren’t always accurate; the gauge relies on and is effected by a variety of factors, including your driving style, driving conditions, and your car’s fuel economy. The gauge is an estimate, not an exact measurement. Second, and more importantly, letting your tank run low can damage your car. Gas serves as a coolant for the electric fuel-pump motor, but when you run very low, the fuel pump begins to suck in air; this creates heat and can cause the fuel pump to prematurely wear or fail.

Tip #4: All Windshield Wipers Are Not Created Equal

Did you know that snow and ice are not the most deadly driving hazards? A new analysis of federal data shows that rain causes more driving fatalities than snow in 39 of the 50 states. To stay safe while driving in the rain, Batteries Plus Bulbs recommends that you change your windshield wipers at least once every six months. You would be surprised how easy to change and inexpensive they are. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind while driving in the rain! If you’re unsure how to change your windshield wipers, a product expert at your local Batteries Plus Bulbs would be more than happy to help.

Tip #5: Visibility is key!

Having bright, clear headlights is extremely important because they determine your visibility, especially on dark roads. It is key to clean headlight casings regularly because grime builds up and diminishes or compromises the brightness of your bulbs. This can be done easily with a little bit of baking soda and vinegar. It is also vital that you do not wait until your headlights go out to replace them. This can be extremely dangerous, especially in fog or extreme weather.

For more information and expert advice on these DIY car care tips, visit a Batteries Plus Bulbs location near you. We also offer free car battery testing, so don’t wait until it’s too late, and head to your nearest store prior to long trips or to celebrate National Car Care Month with us.

Company Info

Batteries Plus Bulbs, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hartland, WI, is a leading omni-channel retailer of batteries, light bulbs and smartphone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels.Through a nationwide network of stores, the Company offers a differentiated value proposition of unrivaled product selection, in-stock availability and customer service.

Batteries Plus Bulbs is owned by Freeman Spogli, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles and New York City. To learn more about one of Forbes® Top 10 Best Franchises in America for the past three years, visit Batteries Plus Bulbs Franchise